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Redman leaves All-Star mark on Royals

Redman leaves All-Star mark on Royals

By Kevin Druley
/
MLB.com |

ST. LOUIS -- Points of celebration have been more abundant for the Royals in recent weeks. The club is in the midst of its best stretch of the season, winning nine of its last 13, and is continuing to battle back from a forgettable first two months.

More good news for Kansas City arrived on Sunday with the announcement that left-hander Mark Redman will represent the club at the 77th annual All-Star Game on July 11 in Pittsburgh.

"I think anyone would be surprised with getting picked," Redman said. "Pitchers aren't really voted in, I don't think. It was an honor."

Redman will make his first career All-Star appearance in a familiar place. He pitched for the Pirates in 2005 and came over to Kansas City in a trade in December. He won five consecutive starts in June, tying a career high, before taking a no-decision against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Redman is 5-4 with a 5.59 ERA in 13 starts this season. He missed most of Spring Training and began 2006 on the disabled list following surgery on his left knee March 3.

He received either a loss or a no-decision from April 16, his season debut, to May 19, a span of seven starts. He missed time on the bereavement list in late May to tend to his father, Allen, 69, who underwent aortal surgery in San Diego.

Redman's streak lasted from June 4-25. He posted a 3.74 ERA during that time, allowing 14 runs in 33 2/3 innings. The last start of the run was by far the best -- seven shutout innings against the Brewers at Kauffman Stadium.

"I'm getting there," Redman said. "You're going to have some rough starts here and there, but overall I'm just hanging in there and having a chance to win each time I take that mound. The All-Star Game is an honor, but ultimately you've got 82 more games in the season to try to play .500 baseball or above."

Redman said he had not yet talked to trainer Nick Swartz, who will also represent the team, about travel plans. But at least now he knows not to book a trip home to Tulsa, Okla., where he would have "played dad" to his 5-year-old son Jordan for three days.